Mother & Son - Volume 1 (2 discs)
1983, 243 minutes, Rated G
Starring Ruth Cracknell and Garry McDonald, Mother and Son is a classic Australian comedy about the relationship between divorced Arthur and his ageing, very eccentric mother, Maggie.
Torn between his social conscience that dictates he should look after his mother in her old age and his need to lead a normal existence whilst still in the prime of his life, Arthur tries to accommodate his mother's constant demands for affection and attention. Vague but vicious and more arsenic than old lace, Maggie would have the beleaguered Arthur tied to her apron strings, if she could just remember where she put the apron...
Enjoy these 9 poignant and touchingly funny stories from Series 1.
The Money
Maggie has been saving up her pension cheques, believing that if she hides them in a safe place then the government will never know how much she has got. But Arthur want to know. He needs a new car and Robert has one going cheap. But where are the cheques? They're no in the freezer with the iron...
The Funeral
Uncle Andrew has finally carked it (bless his soul) and Maggie and Arthur set out with old Uncle Tom to pay their respects at his funeral, stopping on the way so that Maggie can buy a bag of oranges. Will Uncle Tom survive the service? And just how much havoc can Maggie wreak with an open grave and more than a dozen oranges?
The Promotion
Maggie confuses sprat cans while trying to starch one of Arthur's best shirts and an exasperated Arthur considers accepting a promotion which entails a move to Canberra. His annoying brother Robert, argues that Arthur must stay and look after his mother, while Maggie herself is all for him leaving. In an effort to prove her independance, Maggie attempts to cook a meal... cheese on toast in the toaster!
The Aunt
Arthur invites Maggie's sister, Lorna, over for a visit. Maggie hasn't seen Lorna in ten years and, besides, it will provide Arthur with a free babysitter. But, as usual, nothing goes as planned. Maggie demonstrated her (initial) enthusiasm by playing the piano and singing until one in the morning - nearly driving Arthur to distraction. Lorna dares to pick some of Maggie flowers, and finally, the two sisters almost come to blows over a silly brooch.
The Card Game
Arthur plans a card night at home with a few friends... all he wants is for Maggie to stay out of the way and particularly, for her to keep clear of the bathroom. Unfortunately, the cards seem to have disappeared. Is this an act of sabotage on Maggie's part? Will her memory be jogged if Arthur allows her to take part in the card game? His friend don't mind. In fact, they seem to like her.
The Picnic
It probably wasd their own fault. If they'd just been a bit nicer to her, none of it would have happened. But just the same, how can you possibly lose your own mother at a family picnic?
The Accident
Someone drops a typewriter on Arthur's foot and he's stuck at home with Maggie looking after him. Isn't he lucky that she used to be a nurse? While Maggie parodies the lady with the lamp, Arthur would really rather just be left alone... but that is not to be.
The Last Will
There's no doubt Maggie loves Arthur. She's not only going to leave him the most precious thing she owns but a million dollars as well. Arthur would rather have the house. And that's a pity because Robert, Arthur's self-centred brother, is getting that.
The Cruise
Why shouldn'y Maggie go on a cruise with a man her family doesn't know? Maggie knows him. She just can't remember his name.
- Director:
- Geoff Portmann [13],
- Screen Formats:
- Full Frame 1.33:1
- Language and Sound:
- English Dolby Digital Stereo
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